Weep Screed with Weep Screed Deflector and Method of Using Same

ABSTRACT

Device, system and method for weeping and diverting moisture in a wall structure. A weep screed has an elongate screed support portion and an elongate screed angled portion laterally attached to the screed support portion and forming an acute angle with respect to the screed support portion. The weep screed has holes formed to allow the passage of water. The weep screed deflector has an elongate deflector support portion and an elongate deflector angled portion laterally attached to the deflector support portion and forming an obtuse angle with respect to the deflector support portion. The weep screed deflector is positioned with the screed support portion laterally proximate the deflector support portion and with the deflector angled portion below the screed angled portion, such that water which passes through the holes is deflected, at least in part, by the deflector angled portion.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from provisional U.S. PatentApplication No. 61/090,770, Koester, Weep Screed Deflector, filed Aug.21, 2008.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to devices, systems and methodsof making a weep screed, and in particular a weep screed with a weepscreed deflector.

BACKGROUND

Wall structures for many different types of buildings commonlyincorporate two or more layers of materials in order to achieve thetypical goals of providing relative isolation between the interior ofthe building and the exterior of the building, of maintaining thestructural integrity of the building, and of providing decoration. As istypically the case, the basic component of a wall structure may be astructural member, either load-bearing or otherwise, onto which otherbuilding materials may be secured. Facade members which may primarilyserve a decorative function may be secured on the outside of thestructural member. Facade members may also provide isolation between theinterior of the building and the exterior of the building, by providingwater impermeability.

A common facade material is stucco, which is often desirable for itsaesthetic qualities. However, stucco may be relatively prone toabsorbing moisture compared with other facade materials such as wood,stone, and synthetics. Because the stucco facade may provide littleprotection against moisture, and the structural member itself oftenprovides little protection against moisture, it is common in walls withstucco facade to incorporate a moisture barrier between the stuccofacade and the structural member. Rather than admitting moisture intocontact with the structural member where it may cause rot and decay, amoisture barrier may allow moisture which penetrates the stucco to draindown the wall while minimizing or eliminating contacting between themoisture and the structural member.

A moisture control member may also be used to create a gap between thewater barrier and the structural member to allow for drainage of anymoisture or condensation in the wall structure to drain from the wallstructure. However, these gaps may permit insects such as termites toaccess the structural member, which may then cause damage to thestructural member. In other words, the moisture control member may limitdamage to the structural member from water while not completely preventinsect intrusion. Various structures and methods have been created inorder to minimize the ability of insects to penetrate up the moisturecontrol member, but the effectiveness of the structures and methods maynot be perfect. In addition, because moisture control members commonlydrain moisture straight down the wall structure down to the foundation,water from the moisture control member may tend to pool against the wallstructure and the foundation.

SUMMARY

Both the issue with insects and with pooling of drained moisture againstthe wall structure have in the past been addressed in part by componentscalled weep screeds. Commonly A-shaped metal pieces, weep screeds may bepositioned at the bottom of wall structures so that the apex of theA-shape points away from the wall. As such, moisture which runs downeither the moisture barrier or the facade may contact the weep screedand drip off the end some distance from the wall, usually one or twoinches away. In addition, the A-shape may partially inhibit the passageof insects, which may be required to crawl over the A-shape member inorder to enter the moisture barrier of the wall structure.

But conventional weep screeds have several issues which tend to reducetheir effectiveness both at drainage deflection and as insect repellant.In particular, because of the A-shape, water which contacts the weepscreed may not be well contained as it drips off the weep screed; bysplashing onto A-shape and being directed directly away from thestructural member but potentially toward the facade, moisture may have atendency to collect in the facade rather than drip toward the ground. Inaddition, the A-shape may not provide as effective a barrier againstinsects as may be possible otherwise, as insects only have to crawl overthe point of the “A” in order to access the gap created by the moisturebarrier.

A weep screed has been developed which may, at least in part, addressthese issues. Instead of being a single A-shape relative to thestructural member, the weep screed may instead be replaced by a weepscreed system comprised of a weep screed member which forms a channelinto which water is directed, the channel including holes through whichthe water may drain. A deflector member positioned below the channelmember may then deflect the water down and away from the wall structurein a relatively more controlled manner which may prevent undesirablesplashing or exposure of the facade to runoff. In addition, thecombination of the deflector member and the channel member may providetwo barriers for an insect to cross to access the moisture barrier gap.In particular, having to cross two sharp edges may prove to be moredifficult for insects than crossing the point of the A-shape ofconventional weep screeds.

In an embodiment, a weep screed system for a building wall structurecomprises a weep screed and a weep screed deflector. The weep screedcomprises an elongate screed support portion and an elongate screedangled portion laterally attached to the screed support portion andforming an acute angle with respect to the screed support portion. Theweep screed has holes formed to allow the passage of water therethrough.The weep screed deflector comprises an elongate deflector supportportion and an elongate deflector angled portion laterally attached tothe deflector support portion and forming an obtuse angle with respectto the deflector support portion. The weep screed deflector ispositioned with the screed support portion laterally proximate thedeflector support portion and with the deflector angled portion belowthe screed angled portion, such that water which passes through theholes is deflected, at least in part, by the deflector angled portion.

In an embodiment, the weep screed is configured to at least partiallysupport the weight of a building material.

In an embodiment, the weep screed is configured to conceal, at least inpart, a bottom edge of the building material from external view.

In an embodiment, at least one of the weep screed and the weep screeddeflector are configured to inhibit, at least in part, access to abottom portion of the building material.

In an embodiment, the deflector support portion is configured to besecured to a support structure.

In an embodiment, the screed support portion is configured to be securedin lateral contact with the deflector support portion.

In an embodiment, the screed support portion is configured to be securedto the deflector support portion.

In an embodiment, the screed support portion is configured to be securedto the support structure.

In an embodiment, the screed support portion is configured to be securedto a support structure.

In an embodiment, a method of installing the weep screed system on awall structure is disclosed. The deflector support portion is securedlaterally to the wall structure such that the deflector angled portionis positioned below the deflector support portion and points away fromthe wall structure. The screed support portion is positioned in lateralcontact with the deflector support portion such that the screed angledportion is positioned below the screed support portion and above thedeflector angled portion and points away from the wall structure. Thescreed support portion is secured to at least one of the deflectorsupport portion and the wall structure.

In an embodiment, the method of installing the weep screed systemfurther comprises securing a building material to the wall structuredistal, at least in part, of the weep screed system relative to the wallstructure.

In an embodiment, a weep screed comprises an elongate support portion,an angled deflector portion and an angled screed portion. The elongatesupport portion has an elongate edge. The angled deflector portion islaterally attached to the support portion proximate the elongate edgeand forms an obtuse angle with respect to the support portion. Theangled screed portion is laterally attached to the support portionproximate the elongate edge and between the support portion and theangled deflector portion, and forms an acute angle with respect to thesupport portion. The angled screed portion has holes to allow thepassage of water therethrough.

In an embodiment, the support portion is configured to be secured to awall structure.

In an embodiment, the support portion is secured to the wall structurewith the angled deflector portion and the angled screed portion belowthe support portion, and water which passes through the holes isdeflected, at least in part, by the angled deflector portion.

In an embodiment, the angled deflector portion is configured to support,at least in part, a building material.

LISTING OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a wall structure with a weep screed system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side and front-profiles of the weep screed system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side-profile of a weep screed deflector;

FIG. 4 is a side-profile of a weep screed;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for using weep screed system as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for using weep screed system as in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an alternative weep screed.

DESCRIPTION

The entire contents of provisional U.S. Patent Application No.61/090,770, Koester, Weep Screed Deflector, filed Aug. 21, 2008, isincorporated herein by reference. Structural members of wall structuresmay be relatively vulnerable to exposure to water, which may create rotor decay. Moisture barriers have been created to prevent water fromcoming into contact with the structural member. Facade members such asstucco may tend to admit moisture into the wall structure which may bedrained down the wall structure using a moisture barrier and/or moisturecontrol member. A weep screed system may be provided at the bottom ofthe wall structure in order to deflect the moisture away from the wallstructure as it drains away, as well as to prevent insects fromaccessing gaps created in the wall structure by the moisture barrier.

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of wall structure 10. Structural member 12, inan embodiment conventional exterior sheathing well known in the art, iscombined with a conventional structural support 14, in an embodiment astandard two inch by six inch board, to support, at least in part, wallstructure 10. In various common embodiments, it is impractical,particularly for cost reasons, to treat structural member 12 such thatstructural member is impervious to moisture. As such, the more moisturewhich comes into contact with structural member 12, the more likelystructural member may be to rot and decay.

In the illustrated embodiment, moisture control member 16 is attached tostructural member 12 in order to reduce the amount of moisture whichcomes into contact with structural member 12. Moisture control member 16may be made from several different materials, including combinations ofmaterials. Moisture control member 16 may be that member described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,990,775, Koester, Moisture Draining Product, Wall SystemIncorporating Such Product and Method Therefore, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. As illustrated in FIG. 1,moisture control member 16 includes two layers of asphalt impregnatedconstruction paper 18 and drainage member 20 of Sure Cavity™ drainagematerial made by Masonry Technology, Inc. Moisture control member 16 maybe configured such that moisture in the wall structure 10 may drain downmoisture control member 16 and out of wall structure 10.

Facade member 22 may be positioned outside of moisture control member 16and may include a moisture barrier. Facade member 22 may provide bothaesthetic benefits to wall structure 10 as well as additional protectionagainst weathering and other damage. Facade member 22 may be manydifferent materials commonly known in the art, including wood, stone,and brick. As illustrated, facade member 22 is primarily comprised ofstucco 24, as illustrated comprising three layers, and metal lath 26which is secured to structural member 12 and to which stucco 24 isapplied.

Weep screed system 28 may include weep screed 30 and weep screeddeflector 32. Weep screed 30 may include elongate screed support portion34 and elongate screed angled portion 36 laterally coupled to screedsupport portion 34. Weep screed 30 may be formed by bending a singleelongate length of material to form channel 38. In alternativeembodiments, screed support portion 34 may be attached to screed angledportion 36, such as by welding, riveting, adhesion, or other methodsknown in the art. Weep holes 42 may be formed in channel 38 to permitpassage of liquid through weep screed 30.

Weep screed deflector 32 may include elongate deflector support portion44 and elongate deflector angled portion 46 coupled to deflector supportportion 44. Weep screed deflector 32 may be formed by bending a singleelongate length of material. In alternative embodiments, deflectorsupport portion 44 may be attached to deflector angled portion 46, suchas by welding, riveting, adhesion, or other methods known in the art.

Weep screed system 28 may be secured to structural member 12. In anembodiment, weep screed deflector 32 is positioned such that deflectorsupport portion 44 is level and flush against structural member 12 anddeflector angled portion 46 is below deflector support portion 44. Weepscreed 30 may then be positioned such that screed support portion 34 islevel and fluid against deflector support portion 44 and screed angledportion 36 is below screed support portion 34 and above deflector angledportion 46.

In an embodiment, screed support portion 36 and deflector supportportion 44 each have securing holes 50. When holes 50 from screedsupport portion 36 and deflector support portion 44 are in alignmentwith respect to each other, nails or other securing members may bedriven through holes 50 and into structural member 12 to secure weepscreed system 28 to structural member 12. In an alternative embodiment,nails or other securing members may be driven through holes 50 indeflector support portion 44 before weep screed 30 is positioned withrespect to weep screed deflector 32, and then, after weep screed 30 hasbeen positioned with respect to weep screed deflector 32, more nails orother securing members may be driven through holes 50. In furtheralternatives, weep screed deflector 32 and weep screed 30 may be securedusing adhesives or other methods of securing known in the art.

In further alternative embodiments, weep screed 30 may be secured withrespect to weep screed deflector 32 to form an integrated weep screedsystem 28 before weep screed deflector 32 is secured to structuralmember 12. In such an embodiment, weep screed 30 may be secured to weepscreed deflector 32 by welding, rivets, adhesive, or other appropriatemethods. In such an embodiment, holes 50 in each of screed supportportion 34 and deflector support portion 44 may be properly aligned, andwhen weep screed system 28 is positioned with respect to structuralmember 12 nails or other securing members may be driven through alignedholes 50.

As noted above, weep screed 30 and weep screed deflector 32 may bepositioned in a level orientation. In alternative embodiments, weepscreed system 28 as a whole may be positioned at an angle relative to alevel orientation. In such an embodiment, liquid which enters channel 38may drain down the angled channel 38 and exit channel 38 either throughweep holes 42 or off of an end of weep screed 30.

In an embodiment, screed support portion 34 and deflector supportportion 44 may be positioned, at least in part, between moisture controlmember 16 and structural member 12. In such a configuration, moisturewhich drains down moisture control member 16 may be contained andchanneled by screed angled portion 36 into channel 38. In particular,because screed angled portion 36 is angled at an acute angled withrespect to screed support portion 34, moisture which drips into weepscreed 30 may tend to be contained within weep screed 30. Once inchannel 38, moisture may pass through weep holes 42, where the moisturemay contact deflector angled portion 46 in a relatively controlledmanner. Once in contact with deflector angled portion 46, moisture maytend to drip off of deflector angled portion 46 at some distance awayfrom structural member 12 and other members of wall structure 10.

In further embodiments, facade member 22 may be positioned such that itis in whole or in part within channel 38. In such an embodiment, screedangled portion 36 may provide, at least in part, support to facademember 22 if facade member 22 is positioned in contact with screedangled portion 36.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side and front-profile schematic drawings of weepscreed system 28. In an embodiment, a weep screed angle 40 of seventydegrees is formed between screed support portion 34 and screed angledportion 36. In alternative embodiments, weep screed angle 40 may be lessthan ninety degrees and greater than zero degrees. In a furtheralternative embodiment, weep screed angle 40 may be ninety degrees. Inan embodiment a deflector angle 48 of one hundred twenty degrees isformed between deflector support portion 44 and deflector angled portion46. In alternative embodiments, deflector angle 48 may be at leastninety degrees and less than one hundred eighty degrees.

In an embodiment, edge 52 of screed angled portion 36 has approximately0.590 inches of vertical separation 56 relative to edge 54 of deflectorangled portion 46. In such an embodiment, edge 52 has approximately0.107 inches of horizontal separation 58 relative to edge 54, with edge52 projecting further from screed support portion 34 than edge 54.

In an embodiment, horizontal separation 58 may meet goals of increasedlikelihood of moisture entering channel 38 and being adequatelydeflected from wall structure 10. In various alternative embodiments,vertical separation 56 and horizontal separation 58 may be increased ordecreased as conditions may recommend. In an embodiment, verticalseparation 56 may be increased by lengthening screed angled portion 36in order to increase channel 38, or by lengthening deflector angledportion 46 to further deflect moisture from wall structure 10.

FIG. 3 is a side-profile schematic drawing of weep screed deflector 32.In an embodiment, weep screed deflector 32 may be made from 26 Gauge,0.0217 inch thick galvanized steel. In alternative embodiments, thethickness of weep screed deflector 32 may be varied, and weep screeddeflector 32 may be made from alternative materials, such as aluminum.In an embodiment, deflector support portion 44 is 3 29/64 inches(approximately 3.453 inches) from corner 60 to edge 62. In anembodiment, deflector angled portion 46 is 51/64 inches (approximately0.797 inches) from corner 60 to edge 54. In an embodiment, weep screeddeflector 32 may be produced in lengths of approximately eight feet.

Holes 50 in deflector support portion 44 may be 3/16 inch thru typeholes. In an embodiment, two tiers of holes 50 may be formed indeflector support portion 44. In an embodiment, separation between tiersmay be 1 5/16 inches (approximately 1.3125 inches). In an embodiment,separation between holes 50 within each tier may be 2¾ inches(approximately 2.75 inches). Holes 50 may be formed approximately 21/32inches (approximately 0.618 inches) from edge 62, and approximately 15/16 inches (approximately 1.3125 inches) from the ends of weep screeddeflector 32.

FIG. 4 is a side-profile schematic drawing of weep screed 30. In anembodiment, weep screed 30 may be made from 26 Gauge, 0.0217 inch thickgalvanized steel. In alternative embodiments, the thickness of weepscreed 30 may be varied, and weep screed 30 may be made from alternativematerials, such as aluminum. In an embodiment, screed support portion 34is 3½ inches (approximately 3.5 inches) from corner 64 to edge 66. In anembodiment, screed angled portion is 15/32 inches (approximately 0.469inches) from corner 64 to edge 52.

Holes 50 in screed support portion 34 may be 3/16 inch thru type holes.In an embodiment, two tiers of holes 50 may be formed in screed supportportion 34. In an embodiment, separation between tiers may be 1 5/16inches (approximately 1.3125 inches). In an embodiment, separationbetween holes 50 within each tier may be 2¾ inches (approximately 2.75inches). Holes 50 may be formed approximately 21/32 inches(approximately 0.618 inches) from edge 66, and approximately 1 5/16inches (approximately 1.3125 inches) from the ends of weep screed 30.Weep holes 42 may be R.19 type elongate holes approximately one inchlong and 6/32 inches (approximately 0.1875 inches) wide.

The dimensions as described above may be varied, in particular based oncondition in which weep screed system 28 is anticipated to be used. Ifrelatively large amounts of moisture may be expected to drain into weepscreed system 28 then structural members 34, 44 and angled members 36,46 may be selected such that, for instance, channel 38 is relativelylarger or moisture drips off of deflector angled portion 46 relativelyfarther from wall structure 10. If relatively little moisture isexpected then structural members 34, 44 and angled members 36, 46 may beselected such that, for instance, channel 38 is relatively smaller.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of using weep screed system 28.Deflector support portion 44 is secured (500) to structural member 12,such that deflector angled portion 46 is positioned below deflectorsupport portion 44 and points away from structural member 12. Screedsupport portion 34 is positioned (502) with respect to, and in lateralcontact with deflector support portion 44, such that screed angledportion 36 is positioned below screed support portion 34 and abovedeflector angled portion 46, such that screed angled portion 36 pointsaway from structural member 12. Screed support portion 34 is thensecured (504) to structural member 12 and deflector support portion 44.

The steps outlined in FIG. 5 may be ordered as listed. In alternativeembodiments, the steps may be ordered such that screed support portion34 is positioned (502) with respect to deflector support portion 44before deflector support portion 44 is secured (500) to structuralmember 12. In such an embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, screed supportember 34 may be positioned (600, corresponding generally to (502)) withrespect to, and in lateral contact with deflector support portion 44,such that screed angled portion 36 is positioned below screed supportportion 34 and above deflector angled portion 46, such that screedangled portion 36 points away from structural member 12. Screed supportportion 34 may be secured (602, corresponding in part to (504)) todeflector support portion 44. Then, deflector support portion 44 andscreed support portion 34 may be secured (604, corresponding in part to(500) and (504)) to structural member 12, such that deflector angledportion 46 is positioned below deflector support portion 44 and pointsaway from structural member 12.

In an embodiment of FIG. 1, weep screed system 28 may be replaced byweep screed 30. In such an embodiment, weep screed 30 may still act todirect moisture which drains down moisture control member 16 intochannel 38, where the moisture may weep through weep holes 42. However,the absence of weep screed deflector 32 may mean that moisture whichweeps through weep holes 42 may tend to remain in proximity ofstructural member 12. Such an embodiment may be effectively utilized insituations where wall structure 10 is offset inwards below weep screed30, such that when moisture weeps through weep holes 42 it drips downapproximately one or more inches away from offset wall structure. Insuch an embodiment, the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 may be modified tosecure screed support portion 34 is simply coupled directly tostructural member 12.

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of weep screed 100. Weep screed 100may include elongate support portion 102, elongate deflector angledportion 104 coupled to support portion 102, and weep screed angledportion 106 positioned between elongate support portion 102 anddeflector angled portion 104. Weep screed 100 may be formed by bending asingle elongate length of material to from support portion 102 anddeflector angled portion 104, with weep screed angled portion 106attached to the single elongate length of material. In an alternativeembodiment, support portion 102 and weep screed angled portion 106 maybe formed by the single elongate length of material, with angleddeflector portion 104 attached thereto. In a further alternativeembodiment, support portion 102, angled deflector portion 104 and weepscreed angled portion 106 may each be formed by separate pieces ofmaterial and attached with respect to each other. Attachment may beachieved by welding, riveting, adhesion, or other methods known in theart.

Weep screed 100 may be formed according to dimensions consistent withthose of weep screed system 28, detailed in FIGS. 2-4. Weep screed 100may obviate a need for the methods shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by requiringonly the step of securing weep screed 100 to structural portion 12 suchthat support portion 102 is above angled portions 104, 106. Aspositioned, channel 108 may allow for moisture to be collected anddrained off of deflector angled portion 104 by way of weep holes similaror identical to weep holes 42.

Various modifications and alterations of this invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof this invention. It should be understood that this invention is notlimited to the illustrative embodiments set forth above.

1. A weep screed system for a building wall structure, comprising: aweep screed, comprising: an elongate screed support portion; and anelongate screed angled portion laterally attached to said screed supportportion and forming an acute angle with respect to said screed supportportion, said weep screed having holes formed to allow the passage ofwater therethrough; and a weep screed deflector, comprising; an elongatedeflector support portion; and an elongate deflector angled portionlaterally attached to said deflector support portion and forming anobtuse angle with respect to said deflector support portion; said weepscreed deflector being positioned with said screed support portionlaterally proximate said deflector support portion and with saiddeflector angled portion below said screed angled portion, such thatwater which passes through said holes is deflected, at least in part, bysaid deflector angled portion.
 2. The weep screed system of claim 1wherein said weep screed is configured to at least partially support theweight of a building material.
 3. The weep screed system of claim 2wherein said weep screed is configured to conceal, at least in part, abottom edge of said building material from external view.
 4. The weepscreen system of claim 2 wherein at least one of said weep screed andsaid weep screed deflector are configured to inhibit, at least in part,access to a bottom portion of said building material.
 5. The weep screedsystem of claim 1 wherein said deflector support portion is configuredto be secured to a support structure.
 6. The weep screed system of claim5 wherein said screed support portion is configured to be secured inlateral contact with said deflector support portion.
 7. The weep screedsystem of claim 6 wherein said screed support portion is configured tobe secured to said deflector support portion.
 8. The weep screed systemof claim 6 wherein said screed support portion is configured to besecured to said support structure.
 9. The weep screed system of claim 1wherein said screed support portion is configured to be secured to asupport structure.
 10. A method of installing the weep screed system ofclaim 1 on a wall structure, comprising the steps of: securing saiddeflector support portion laterally to said wall structure such thatsaid deflector angled portion is positioned below said deflector supportportion and points away from said wall structure; positioning saidscreed support portion in lateral contact with said deflector supportportion such that said screed angled portion is positioned below saidscreed support portion and above said deflector angled portion andpoints away from said wall structure; and securing said screed supportportion to at least one of said deflector support portion and said wallstructure.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step ofsecuring a building material to said wall structure distal, at least inpart, of said weep screed system relative to said wall structure. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein said weep screed system supports, atleast in part, said building material.
 13. A weep screed, comprising: anelongate support portion having an elongate edge; an angled deflectorportion laterally attached to said support portion proximate saidelongate edge and forming an obtuse angle with respect to said supportportion; and an angled screed portion laterally attached to said supportportion proximate said elongate edge and between said support portionand said angled deflector portion, said angled screed portion forming anacute angle with respect to said support portion; said angled screedportion having holes to allow the passage of water therethrough.
 14. Theweep screed of claim 13 wherein, when said support portion is configuredto be secured to a wall structure.
 15. The weep screed of claim 14wherein, when said support portion is secured to said wall structurewith said angled deflector portion and said angled screed portion belowsaid support portion, water which passes through said holes isdeflected, at least in part, by said angled deflector portion.
 16. Theweep screed of claim 13 wherein said angled deflector portion isconfigured to support, at least in part, a building material.